Wichita eagle., 1887-06-01
AMONG THE SHAKERS.
AN ELDER GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF
THEIR WORKING HABITS.


Strict Observance Of Correct Laws Of
Life-Description Of ''Family's" Daily
Routine-ventifation and Personal
Clesnlinsss-Good Old Age.
Frederick Evans. elder Of the Shakers
society, now in the 10Th year of his age,
recently visited New York, and gave me an
account of the health and working habits Of
the members of his community. He is in
excellent condition, mentally and physically,
and expects to be spared to do much good
work in the interest of humanity. @My own
habits" said the elder, shave been formed
after years Of study and experiment. Forty
years ago I had consumption. By the strict
observance Of correct laws Of life, my health
has gradually improved, and was never
better than 1t is at present"
II understood that there are seventeen
societies, each society consisting Of several
families, all living separatelyg"
eyes, each family maintains an independ-
emit existence. For instance, at Mount Leb-
anon, where live, in village about . mile
in length, there are six families, each being .
community in itself, owning property and
elders in each family, two males and two
females, and four deacons, two males and
two females"
"Are the habits Of the different societies and
families uniforn4"
ayes, we endeavor to be as nearly alike as
possible. The Shakers have to pass through
seven cycles Of progress to correspond with
the seven steps to the temple at Jerusalem.
In tho first cycle were the tests in favor Of
purity, of holding property in common and
against war. During that period We decided
to abstain from the use of liquors. cider and
tobacco The second cycle is now opening.
In it we are to abstain altogether from meat,
and more strictly observe the laws Of by
giene. And although we have been extern
sive purchasers of land, we expect TO help the
movement in favor Of land limitation"
"A description of the daily routine Of life
at Mount Lebanon would be interesting"
"Wsll; in summer we get out Of bed at 4:S0
o'clock and attend to our focks and herds.
Breakfast is served at o'clock. It consists
of several kinds of bread, leavened and un-
leavened, made of fine -four, whole meal,
Indian meal, rye and buckwheat; potatoes,
tomatoes, apples, apple sauce, hot apple pie,
tea, coffee and hot water. We dine at noon
all the year round. The bill of fare includes
vegetable soups, apple dumplings, Indian
meal, rice. vegetables and milk. We have
supper all the year round at o'clock. At
that meal We also have several kinds OF
bread, hot pies, tea, coffee, milk, hot water,
apple sauce and fruit in season.
ave use cream for shortening purposes, in
stead Of lard, and eat very small amount of
butter. A few of our people still take flesh,
but we have no beasts killed. At one time it
was the custom to have slaughtering done,
but we found that it had a bad effect
on the children and young people who were
being brought up as vegetarians. The small
amount Of flesh required is procured from
outside. 1t has not included pork for thirty
years. We have great faith in vegetables
and fruits. Every year We stow away about
1000 bushels OF apples to last us through the
winter and spring The produce of our
gardens includes Strawberries, plums, cher
ries. asparagus, peas and beans OF these we
preserve enough in glass jars to supply our
wants until the next season."
"Do you rest long after mealss'
work is resumed soon after breakfast; but
after dinner we rest for TN hour or longer.
Three evenings of each week are set apart for
religious meetings, the devotions being associ-
ated with physical exercise We have sing
ing twice a week. and occasionally union or
social meetings We 60 to bed at 9 o'clock.
"We are very particular in the matter OF
ventilation. Our houses and barns breathe
as we do ourselves The mop boards con-
nected with the halls are perforated There
are Archimedean veatilatoP on the tops Of
the houses. Our rooms are heated by steam
and by means Of hot air tubes The floors are
warmed SO that the sisters, while at work,
may not suffer from cold feet"
"Are your houses well supplied with bath
roonls7"
Yes; We have faith in the bath During
forty years have bathed every day in either
cold or tspid water"
Have you succeeded in doing anything to
increase the hsalthfulness of your sleeping
roomsw
I'VE believe in having the sleeping rooms
warmed and purified by the sun. The bed
clothes are hung on pegs around the rooms,
and allowed to air until after dinner As a
simple means Of publication there is nothing
better"
What is the age of the Oldest member of
your familyf"
'Our people live to a good old age The
oldest member now is s. years George
Henry Bassett in Herald of Health